What can you tell us about your new book?

R.A.I.D

R.A.I.D



The book has been designed for anyone who wants to understand how to improve their personal security and defensive mind-set. It is a culmination of the best methodologies and concepts presented in an easy to read format. RAID has two main elements of Self Defence. The delivery of RAID in this book is through 5 modules, known as the 5Ds of Defence that follows the systematic sequence of a violent confrontation from start to finish.



Why is self-defence so important to you?



I have spent my life within the security sector from serving with the military to Close Protection all over the world and it occurred to me that I needed to leave a legacy of my knowledge for all to read, thus creating the RAID manual.



Do you think that self-defence skills are of equal importance to men and women?



The RAID system is not age, gender or physical prowess bias and works for everyone as it is instructional in its origin.



There are five easy to follow modules outlined in your book - please can you expand on these for us?



The modules are broken down as follows:





Deterrence.

Proactive Rational Strategic Concepts (Deterrence - Pre-assault)



Have you wondered why people are victims and others are not? The way you present yourself to the world and if you are security conscious or not has a lot to do with it. Deterrence is the key to the RAID system. With the correct training you will gain the knowledge to give you confidence, which in turn will show in your physical behaviour. This whole module is about personal protection, how to implement security parameters and procedures, whilst at home, work, in the car and out on the street. You will learn about your belief systems and how they affect your defensive thinking and views towards life. You will also discover the psychological and physiological effects of fear and how your mind and body reacts to external violent stimulus. Like all foundations this module provides the building blocks for further discovery of personal protection defence.





Detection

Reactive Emotional Tactical Concepts (Detection, Defuse & Defend - Assault)

Many individuals that have been in a violent situation seem to forget how it started or what led to their unfortunate attack. In this module you will discover how to detect potential situations. You will learn about the types of attacks and attackers so that you know how to recognise them. The best way for you to learn is to place you in the attacker's shoes and study how they choose their victims. You will learn observation and awareness skills that allow you to detect the subtle indicators and triggers people show when acting in a certain manner. If you have knowledge of violence and you can identify a potential situation by observation and awareness - you stand a better chance in preventing it.





Defuse.

Reactive Emotional Tactical Concepts (Detection, Defuse & Defend - Assault)

When the situation has escalated and you have not been able to avoid it, a lot of people seem to find it difficult to communicate in a stressful situation and end up making it worse. If you find yourself in this position you will be feeling the effects of emotional adrenalin and physiological change, like accelerated heart & respiration rate, dry mouth, etc. This module is very important and forms am important part of your defence strategy because we provide you with a tactical conflict management process called STOP which guides you through a situation step by step. You will learn active listening and de-escalation skills to enable the reintroduction of rational thought processing so that you can decisions and choices. If the attacker will talk - he may present the ability for you to walk





Defend.

Reactive Emotional Tactical Concepts (Detection, Defuse & Defend - Assault)

Defence is the last resort and last module within reactive assault, as all attempts to get away have been negated and conflict management skills have failed. In this module you will learn the tactical COPE process that allows you to reflexively cope with any physical assault you may encounter.





Desensitize- Post-assault

After a confrontation whether mental or physical you will always be affected by post-traumatic effects such as denial or even legal or social consequence. This is the last module within the RAID and is the post-assault phase. During this module you will learn on the scene first aid, which helps you to get back your rational thought whilst checking your body for serious wounds. You will also learn courtroom survival strategies so that you can defend yourself in court as you did on the street. You will also discover coping strategies for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).







What is the first step to conflict management?



Conflict Management looks at how you can cope with a potential attack if you have been unable to avoid one. Now you are dealing with a greater potential of physical attack you will have to try and de-escalate or defuse the situation to allow you the potential of exit or prepare for any attack stimulus. Self-defence is not just about the physical defence; in fact it is more of sixty percent psychological, twenty five percent emotional and only fifteen percent physical.



So imagine that you have not been able to avoid a situation and you are confronted by an attacker? What do you do? What do you say? How do you react? Well all of these questions within traditional arts and systems would have you attack or defend. I remember a guy at a tube station in London asking me for directions, but he was stood side onto me which I found strange and he had one arm behind his back, at that time the STOP directive was already in my mind and whilst providing directions my nearest hand was hovering around the arm behind his back covering it.



All of a sudden he pulled something from his back pocket and I blocked his arm, only to find out that it was a network map of the stations. Now considering the time and environment I was right to be cautious so after seeing what it really was I apologised which he responded 'no problem' and went on his way. The point to this story is that in most systems if you feel vulnerable and you have no conflict management training your auto response in this situation is either to freeze or attack because there is a knowledge void. By using the STOP dynamic directive you will be able to pilot yourself through the situation whilst remaining a lot safer and prepared for any stimulus.





Please tell us about your professional background?



I have over 18 years of combative experience, including 14 years military service, serving with the military. Since leaving the military, I have taken an active role in the security industry. My self-defence experience and the revolutionary concepts and applications I have designed have been proven globally and by various authorities from Suffolk Police, Norfolk Fire-fighters, and military.




by for www.femalefirst.co.uk
find me on and follow me on